Aspinock Memories
The first Putnam train station
By Terri Pearsall, Museum Curator
The Crossing’s Restaurant that is operating today was once a train station in Putnam that was built in 1909.  It was the second train station.  The first train station was built in the early 1860s and was farther down the tracks.  It was opposite the Chickering Hotel and extended to the railroad bridge on Front Street. 
There were stairs that went down to Front Street.
The size of the first station built in Putnam was approximately 25ft. X 75 ft. and was a good size in comparison to the surrounding buildings.  It was done in the Victorian Second Empire style which is based on medieval prototypes.  The Victorian stye is a mixture of Greek, Gothic, Italianate, French and Mission styles.  This style was especially popular in the Northeast and Midwest frequently used for public buildings between 1855 and 1877.
The two-story building was made of wood with traditional balloon framing.  This means the walls are attached to the outside of the wooden framework creating an exterior sheathing.  Space on the top floor was used for offices, and some rooms were rented to travelers.  The lower level contained a freight room, waiting area, telegraph office, ticket and passenger agents and had a large overhang supported by decorative brackets.  The overhang allows passengers to load and unload without being subjected to foul weather since the tracks are relatively close to the building.
According to an article in the Putnam Patriot on Friday, November 1, 1901, the train station was having a new floor laid, as it was much needed.  The article said that the building was put up “over 30 years ago when Putnam was comparatively a small place, and the business, passenger and freight, was a nothing compared to what it is today (November 1, 1901).  Little has been asked by our citizens from the railroad company to have its freight house, passenger station and other property, right in the heart of our city, improved to conform to the growth and development of our city.  The condition of the railroad property in its present shabby state tends to make our entire city appear to great disadvantage in the eyes of thousands of people who pass through here weekly on trains.”
The article states that with the great increase of passenger travel, and the great danger to life and limb to the crowds who go to the station and must cross two tracks where flying trains are continually coming and going, they desire some safer and better state of things.  The townspeople also wanted the widening and improvement of the Front Street railroad bridge because in its present state it is a menace to the multitudes which must pass under and through it daily.  It is also an offence to sight and smell.
The article continues:  Mayor Fuller and Alderman L.E. Smith have visited the railroad officials at Hartford on several occasions during the past two years and laid the urgency of the need of a better condition of things connected with the passenger station and the Front Street railroad bridge.  Their appeals were listened to politely and fine promises made them, and even the time was set for beginning the required improvements.  Indeed, agents from the company were sent here to make investigation, and who, after learning what the citizens required, outline plans in connection with our city officials, which we printed two years ago and were discussed by the people, who looked for immediate commencement.
It was not until 1904, according to an article on December 9, 1904, in the Putnam Patriot, that an agreement was met between the railroad company and the town to build a new station. With a town vote of 596 voters, only 33 No votes were cast.  $20,000 were appropriated as the city’s share in the project.  The railroad company agreed to build a new station free from all danger in getting to trains, to widen South Main Street and will curve round into Front Street.  Front Street will also be widened with the current bridge being removed and only space for the railroad tracks will cover the street, hardly obscuring any light.  All this will not only end in removing everything now unsightly but will beautify that important part of the city.  
The article of December 9, 1904, said: The growth of Putnam has steadily progressed, and a wonderful change has been made in its appearance for the better in many ways without any exciting movement being witnessed, and that is the way we hope it will continue to grow.  When, however it becomes necessary to have improvements of any kind, which are essential for the better health of the city, its growth and prosperity, we trust that our citizens will continue to respond as they have in the past, the last instance being the present appropriation of $20,000 to have necessary changes made in our railroad, to benefit the city and to better protect the community.
Looking back over the last decade or so, Putnam has lived up to that last statement.  Our citizens have continued to make improvements that have benefited the city and protection of our community.
Aspinock Memories graces the pages of the Putnam Town Crier to keep Putnam’s history alive.

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